Sweet corn yield on ultisol soil treated with Effective Microorganisms (EM4) and NPK fertilizer

Abstract

An experiment was accomplished to study the effect of EM4, NPK fertilizer and their interaction on sweet corn yield. It was carried out on Experimental Farm of Faculty of Agriculture Haluoleo University, Kendari from December 2006 to May 2007. Split-plot design was employed with NPK fertilizer as main plot, consisting four levels: NPK0 (control), NPK1 (150 kg urea + 50 kg SP36 + 17 kg KCl) per hectare, NPK2 (200 kg urea + 100 kg SP36 + 33 kg KCl) per hectare, NPK3 (300 kg urea + 150 kg SP36 + 50 kg KCl) per hectare. Sub-plot was EM4 level, consisting four levels: E0 (control), E1: 30 L EM4 ha-1, E2: 60 L EM4 ha-1 and E3: 90 L EM4 ha-1. An amount of and 8.l kg plot-l or 25000 kg ha-l organic fertilizer was applied as basic fertilizer. Each treatment was repeated three times, giving a total of 48 experimental units. Growth and yield observed were height, biomass and weight of economic yield of sweet corn at harvest. Results showed that there were no significant interaction between EM4 and NPK fertilizer on plant height, biomass and economic yield at harvest. Nevertheless, main plot and sub-plot showed significant effect. Using regression analysis, some levels of EM4 showed linear interaction on biomass and economic yield at harvest, so it was suggested to examine EM4 concentration higher than 90 L ha-1.